Petunia×Calibrachoa plant named ‘Dancalipet’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Petunia  plant named ‘Dancalipet’ particularly characterized by having red-purple flower color with a yellow veined tube, 35-40 mm across; small bush, cascading from hanging pots, compact growth, vigorous, well branched, slender foliage, good garden performance; lignified, persistent stems, woody at base; and displaying a profusion of flowers all summer long and well into autumn.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Petunia sensuWijsman×Calibrachoa La Llave.

Variety denomination: Dancalipet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPetunia×Calibrachoa plant, botanically known as Petunia sensuWijsman×Calibrachoa La Llave, hereinafter referred to by the varietydenomination ‘Dancalipet’.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breedingprogram in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female parent is Petuniahybrida designated ‘3082’ (unpatented). The male parent is Calibrachoahybrida designated ‘107’ (unpatented). ‘Dancalipet’ was discovered andselected by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in MoshavMishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by tip stem cuttings was firstperformed in June, 2003, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproducestrue-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Dancalipet’ which in combinationdistinguish this Petunia×Calibrachoa as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Red-Purple flower color with a yellow veined tube, 35-40 mm        across;    -   2. Small bush, cascading from hanging pots, compact growth,        vigorous, well branched, slender foliage, good garden        performance;    -   3. Lignified, persistent stems, woody at base; and    -   4. Displaying a profusion of flowers all summer long and well        into autumn.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to ‘Dancalipet’ is the cultivar Petunia‘Danpetsweet’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,822), commercially known asPetitunia ‘Sweet Dream’. Table 1 shows a comparison between‘Dancalipet’, Petitunia ‘Sweet Dream’, the female parent Petunia hybrida‘3082’ and the male parent Calibrachoa hybrida ‘107’.

TABLE 1 Petunia Calibrachoa Petitunia hybrida hybrida Character‘Dancalipet’ ‘Sweet Dream’ ‘3082’ ‘107’ Flower color Red-PurpleRed-Purple Red-Purple Red-Purple Flower size 3.5-4.0 4.0 3.5 3.0 (cm)Growth High High High Medium vigor Growth habit Bush Bush Cascading Bushcascading cascading cascading Leaf size 5.0-5.5 8.0 9.0 3.0 (cm)Lignified Yes No No Yes stem

‘Dancalipet’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, andday length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the overall appearanceof the new variety showing the colors as true as is reasonably possiblewith color reproductions of this type.

The first photograph shows a ‘Dancalipet’ plant in its entirety in ahanging pot.

The second photograph is a close up of a single ‘Dancalipet’ flower.

The third photograph is a close-up of a ‘Dancalipet’ bud.

The fourth photograph depicts a comparison of a ‘Dancalipet’ flower onthe upper left hand side, a flower of the female Petunia hybrida ‘3082’on the upper right hand side; a flower of the male Calibrachoa hybrida‘107’ on the lower left hand side; and a flower of the comparisoncultivar ‘Sweet Dream’ on the lower right hand side.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.‘Dancalipet’ can be used as a pot plant and a bedding plant. For optimalgrowth conditions, ‘Dancalipet’ should be grown outdoors in moderateclimate, exposed to full sunlight, with regular irrigation andfertilization; and grown indoors in the winter. A fully grown planttakes 3 months. ‘Dancalipet’ blooms year-round in moderate climate.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.) 2001, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of theplant described is 6 weeks.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Male parent.—Calibrachoa hybrida ‘107’.        -   Female parent.—Petunia hybrida ‘3082’.-   Classification:-   Botanical: Petunia sensu Wijsman×Calibrachoa La Llave.-   Commercial: Petunia×Calibrachoa cv. Dancalipet.-   Propagation: Stem cuttings.-   Plant:-   General appearance and form:    -   -   Height.—20-25 cm.        -   Spread.—60-80 across.        -   Growth habit.—Bush cascading.        -   Growth rate.—Fully grown plant in 3 month during summer.        -   Branching habit and description.—Freely, well branched.        -   Flowering response.—Long day facultative.        -   Flowering season.—Year round in moderate climate.        -   Winter hardiness/weather tolerance.—Frost tender.        -   Lastingness of the individual bloom.—5-7 days.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely.        -   Time to initiate roots.—7-10 days.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—3 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—None.-   Stem description:    -   -   Length.—50-60 cm.        -   Diameter.—4 mm.        -   Internode length and color.—1.5-3.5 cm, Yellow-green 144-B.        -   Strength.—Lignified, persistent at stem base.        -   Branching.—Well branched.        -   Pubescence.—Yes.-   Foliage:    -   -   Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolate.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Length.—50-55 mm.        -   Width.—20-25 mm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Lustrous.        -   Color of upper surface.—Green 137-B (both mature and            immature).        -   Color of lower surface.—Green 137-C (both mature and            immature).        -   Venation color.—None.        -   Petiole.—Length: 5 mm. Diameter: 2 mm. Color: Yellow-Green            144-A.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flower longevity.—5-7 days.        -   Flower size.—35-40 mm across.        -   Flower shape.—Rounded, corolla united with 5 lobes and a            long straight tube.        -   Average number of flowers per lateral branch.—40-50 in            varying developing stages.        -   Petals.—Number: 5, fused at the base. Shape: Salver form.            Size: 35 mm long; 20 mm wide. Apex: Blunt. Margin: Wave.            Color: Upper surface: Red-Purple 74-A. Lower surface: Purple            75-A.        -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Shape: Deeply incised, 5 lobes, cup            shaped. Size: Of a single sepal: 12/1.5 mm. Apex: Truncate.            Margin: Entire. Texture: Lustrous. Color: Upper surface:            Green 141-A. Lower surface: Green 143-B.        -   Bud.—Rate of opening: 7-10 days, depending on weather            conditions. Color: Top ⅓ closest to greyed purple RHS 187A;            bottom ⅔ green RHS 137 B, 138 B and 138 C. Shape: Oblong.            Length: 25 mm. Diameter: 6-8 mm.        -   Peduncle color and length.—2-3 cm, Yellow-Green 144-A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen.—5 in number; Yellow-Green 145-A.        -   Anthers.—Yellow-Green 145-C.        -   Stigma.—Yellow-Green 144-A.        -   Ovary.—Yellow-Green 144-B.        -   Pollen.—Yellow-Green 145-C.        -   Seed.—None observed.        -   Fruit.—None observed.-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No observations made to    date.

1. A new and distinct Petunia×Calibrachoa plant named ‘Dancalipet’ asillustrated and described herein.